As a volunteer visitor you will be asked to set aside 30 minutes per week to pay a friendly visit to a resident of an Australian Government subsidised aged care home, or a person in their own home who is receiving a Government funded Home Care Package.
Some older people don’t have quality contact with friends or relatives. They might feel isolated from their community and the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) connects them with volunteers like yourself who can:

• Sit and chat about a wide range of interests
• Watch a favourite television program
• Work with them on a hobby
• Read to them or listen to music together
• Be a good friend who visits regularly

Anyone over the age of 18 and willing to volunteer time to provide friendship or companionship to an older person is welcome.

We’re looking for volunteers from all walks of life to build friendships with people who are at risk of social isolation. Social isolation can affect people from any background and you can be a part of the solution.

While there are some highly desirable skills for a volunteer visitor to have, you’ll receive training that gives you clear guidance on your role and how to conduct it appropriately. You’ll be made aware of your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer. You’ll receive ongoing support and know how and when to raise any concerns or issues freely and openly. We want you to feel comfortable delivering your visiting role.

As a starting point, ask yourself if you have:

• Genuine empathy
• Good communication and listening skills
• The ability to visit independently
• A commitment to developing a strong and ongoing relationship with an older person and to the ACVVS programme, and
• The ability to be flexible.

You must be willing to respect confidentiality, maintain professional boundaries and work within the policies and procedures of Anglicare Southern Queensland.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer visitor should complete the enquiry form below. This will be sent through to your local Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme coordinator. Volunteers are required to undergo a National Police Check through CV Check and we will cover the cost, on your behalf, complete our training package and workbook as part of the application process. The ACVVS Co-ordinator will work with you to complete these requirements. We will ask to you to complete a questionnaire regarding your interests and background to assist with matching you with a person of similar interests.

All Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme volunteers are supported with an introduction and site orientation on their first visit.

There are many individuals across Southern Queensland that would enjoy regular visits.

Locations in need of volunteer visitors are:

• Brisbane
• Bundaberg
• Bribie Island
• Caboolture
• Chinchilla
• Darling Downs
• Gold Coast
• Hervey Bay
• Logan
• Sunshine Coast
• Townsville
• Warwick

If your local area is not on this list, still get in touch with us at [email protected] as often there are many more locations looking for volunteer visitors.